Health and Fitness Tips: Get Fit and Stay Fit.
Here are some tips for both health and fitness that will help you lose weight, discover ways to maintain a better healthy lifestyle, and be in the best shape of your life – all the smart way!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Loss of hair, or baldness, is the result of not having enough vitamin B supplements. Vitamin B is very important, as it contains B3 niacin, which is very important for growing hair. Vitamin B6 is another important vitamin, containing nutrients such as sulfur, biotin, magnesium, and zinc. Without these vitamins, your body won’t be able to grow hair as much, which commonly results in balding or hair loss as we get older.

What many people fail to realize, is the importance of vitamin B. Research has shown in the past that vitamin B is very important to hair growth. Men who consume foods that are rich in vitamin B are less likely to experience hair loss. Vitamin B is an essential vitamin, and also one that enriches the overall quality and thickness of hair.

Vitamin A is also important with hair growth. To get the proper amount of vitamin A, you should consume fatty acids. Some examples include flaxseed oil, primrose, and salmon oil. If you consume these types of fatty acids, you will get the right amount of vitamin A that is needed to enhance the growth of your hair. If you are worried about hair loss, you should make sure that you are getting enough vitamin A and vitamin B.

Vitamin E is also important for hair growth, as it stimulates your intake of oxygen and helps to improve your blood circulation as well. If your blood is circulating properly, then the growth of your hair will be enhanced. The proper circulation of blood is very important with hair growth, as the blood is what helps your hair to grow, and the necessary vitamins to flow through your body.

Another necessary vitamin for hair growth is biotin. You can find this essential source in rice, soybeans, green peas, oats, walnuts, yeast, and sunflower seeds. It is also found with some types of shampoos as well. If you are using shampoo that contains biotin, you will be getting into your root tips faster, which will help to promote the growth of your hair. Even though you may be using shampoo that contains biotin, you will still need to take the necessary vitamins and supplements as well.

Before you take any vitamins or supplements, you should always consult with your doctor and get his opinion. There may be some vitamins and supplements that you should not be taking, which is why you should always consult with your doctor before you make any decision. Your doctor will be able to run tests and go through your history with you, letting you know what you can and can not take. This way, you can choose your vitamin supplements accordingly – and know without a doubt that there will be no long term side effects or problems.

(Note: This article is the opinion of the author and may or may not be substantiated by scientific fact.)

Friday, April 03, 2009

When you decide to purchase an exercise bike, you should first find a place in your home where you can place it. Then, you will need to think about whether or not you want an upright exercise bike, a semi recumbent bike, or a recumbent exercise bike.

Once you have made the decision of which type of bike you want, check out the reviews that are available in bike magazines and also on the internet. You can also take the advice of family and friends who are currently using the same as well as personal trainers who have experience. The reviews on exercise bikes are normally rates in accordance to their performance, functions that they have, as well as the type of material that is used for constructing the exercise bikes.

The exercise bike that you choose should be very comfortable to sit on and the seat should be easy to adjust, as it otherwise it would be really hard to cycle on. If the height of the seat is wrong, it can put a lot of pressure in your lower area, specifically the groin. To find out more about these types of features, it is very important that you read a review as the reviews can give you valuable information about the features of exercise bikes.

Reviews have other advantages as well. A lot of times, websites on the internet will offer special discounts on the exercise bikes as well, which is just another benefit to reading the reviews. After you have read the reviews, you will be able to negotiate for a better price once you talk to the sales person.

No matter how you look at it, you really can not go wrong with reading a review on exercise bikes. You can find out anything you want to know, as well as get opinions from those who already own the equipment. A majority of the time, you can find out flaws as well, which can save you a lot of time and effort.

Going to local gyms is also a great way to find out about exercise bikes. If you do not want to buy one or if you do not have the space to keep one at home, you can always join a local gym and use one there. There are several different types available at your local gym, with everything from standard exercise bikes to the newer electronic versions.

Whether you choose to buy on for home use or use one at the gym, an exercise bike can help you stay in shape. All you need to do is ride it a few minutes a day, and you will be amazed at just how much it helps you. Considered to be a part of cardio, an exercise bike can help you lose weight and tone your body down like never before.

(Note: This article is the opinion of the author and may or may not be substantiated by scientific fact.)

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Everyone knows that exercise is very good for your health. During pregnancy, exercise can have many other benefits as well. Normally, exercise should be light, especially during your first few weeks of pregnancy while your body adjusts to the changes.

Any type of heavy exercise can divert the blood flow from crucial areas, and most women that exercise on a regular basis should tone down their workout regimen during pregnancy.

Swimming, walking, and yoga are three very popular exercise activities that are suitable for pregnant women. There are other forms of exercise such as weight lifting that are acceptable as long as it is not too strenuous. Most specialists recommend exercise 3 - 4 times a week, unless you have a medical condition that prevents it. If you are ever in doubt, you should consult a physician first.

Below, you will find some of the best reasons as to why you should exercise during pregnancy.

1. Exercise can help to reduce the length of labor and recovery time. The right exercise routines will also increase stamina that is needed for delivery.2. Exercise can help reduce the side effects of pregnancy. Symptoms such as fatigue, swelling, headaches, and constipation are all common with pregnant women. Studies have shown exercise to reduce the occurrence of these symptoms.3. Exercise can also help with weight management after the child has been born. A common concern with most mothers is the weight they lose after pregnancy. During pregnancy, exercise can make postpartum weight loss easier.4. Exercise can also decrease the risk of premature birth. Exercise has been proven to decrease the risk of premature birth by at least 50%.5. Improved mental health. Exercise can lower stress and improve your emotional health, making it easier for you to get through the new experience of becoming a mother.6. Exercise is very good for your unborn baby. By keeping your body healthy, you are also looking out for your baby as well.

You should always make sure that you drink plenty of fluids before you exercise, follow a nutritious diet, and avoid over exertion. You should also listen to your body, and if you start feeling sick you should immediately stop and rest.

If you exercise during your pregnancy, you will find it a lot easier to deliver when the time comes. Exercise will assist your body strengthen up, which will make it very easy on you when you go into the delivery room. Women who do not exercise find it much harder when the time comes to give birth.

Exercising during pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for yourself and for your unborn baby. Your baby will reap some of the benefits, which is reason enough to exercise. Always be safe when you exercise, and do not hesitate to ask a doctor for advice if you have any questions at all. As long as you exercise safe and use good common sense, you will do a world of good for your pregnancy.

(Note: This article is the opinion of the author and may or may not be substantiated by scientific fact.)

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Effective Steps To A Healthy Colon for you, a food lover! Foods, such pizza, hamburgers, fried chicken, pasta, steaks, pastry, chips, and a wide variety of desserts can certainly wet your appetite. There is nothing wrong with enjoying scrumptious foods. Problems only arise when we eat too much of it. One problem is becoming overweight. Another problem is the accumulation of toxins in your body. This article will focus on the latter problem, but that's not the case if your body is being burdened by toxins. It's an internal problem and many people may not be aware of it.

When your body stores these toxins, you may start to acquire many illnesses as it is harmful to your body's internal organs. It has a negative effect on your body systems. Eating oily foods often will lead to an accumulation of fat. The bacterium in the food waste produces toxins in the body. If your body does not flush out these toxins quickly, it will find its way back to your body's organs viz your blood. After a period of time, you may find yourself suffering from health problems such as bloating, headache, diarrhea, constipation, bad breath and fatigue.

The state of your colon determines your health condition. Believe it or not, your overall well-being is directly related to the health of your colon. Therefore, maintaining a good digestive system and colon is essential.

1. Practice good eating habits. Have a regular eating pattern. Pile up on the fruits and vegetables. This will ensure you are getting enough fiber in your body. Fiber is a natural colon cleanser. Control your meat intake and don't indulge too much in carbohydrate rich foods. Choose to add whole grains to your diet. Make the switch the next time you go shopping for cereals and bread.

2. Drink at least 2 liters of water everyday. You need water to help your digestive system and for detoxification.

3. If you feel you are not getting enough fiber in your diet, you can opt to take Psyllium Husk Powder. It works well to loosen and get rid of the gunk in your colon. However, you must drink lots of water to avoid dehydration.

4. Use probiotics to maintain a balanced flora in your colon. You need good bacteria to counter the bad bacterium that’s in there. A good way to do this is to take yogurt that has live acidophilus cultures.

5. Be more active in sport activities such as yoga, swimming or brisk walking. Get off the couch and exercise more. It will help to stimulate regular bowel movements.

6. Undergo a colon hydrotherapy session. This procedure sends water into your anus which then gets rid of the waste build up in your colon. A colon therapist will massage your colon to aid the waste removal.

7. You can shop around for colon cleansing or colon detoxification products on the market. You will find a variety of teas, health supplements, drinks and powders. Choosing one that works and that is not a scam can be confusing. Make sure you do not get a laxative. If your stools are too loose, then it's a laxative. A good colon cleansing product will remove mucus, sludge and feces stuck in your bowels. Look for one that will also get rid of the parasites too. Make sure you discuss with your doctor and find out all you can about a product before using it.

Taking care of your colon will definitely lead to a healthier you. You will feel your energy return and your immune system will get stronger. So take the steps to protect your digestive system and see your overall well-being improve. Use these effective steps to get a healthy colon for your body.

(Note: This article is the opinion of the author and may or may not be substantiated by scientific fact.This blog is offering many articles and tips to stay fit. )

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

According to manufacturers, diet pills use natural ingredients capable of prolonging life and containing alcohol used in medication or flavoring. One thing's for sure, never take diet pills as substitute for cutting calories without the doctor's recommendation. There are simple but important steps to be followed when taking diet pills:

Never crush diet pills to mix in drinks or soups. Take it whole with a full glass of water.

Take only the recommended dosage. Taking more than required will not help you lose weight but increase the risk of side effects.

Always follow the instructions set by the dietician, the nutritionist and/or doctor and not only rely on what's enclosed in the box. Also diet pills will only work as expected if diet plan is being followed.

Diet pills cause a person to urinate more frequently due to its diuretic effect. This could lead to dehydration, thus, causing complications. As a pre-caution, it is best to drink eight glasses of water everyday while on diet pills.

Heartbeat should be less than 86 beats per minute. Stop taking the pills if it reaches 90 or higher that is why regular checking of pulse is a must.

After three months, stop taking the diet pills. Common diet phenylpropanolamine is safe to use only up to sixteen weeks. Other studies show that it can cause health problems if taken under one month.

There are two kinds of diet pills; one is the prescription only diet pills and the over-the-counter diet pills.

Prescription Diet Pills - are drugs regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agency which side effects are monitored, maybe advertised and prescribed under certain dosages. The most popular of these is Xenical, which is licensed for long-term use. However, this too has it's own side effects, diarrhea, oily and unexpected fecal discharge are just some. Therefore, users are advised to take a low fat diet plan.

While Over-the-Counter Diet Pills are categorized as food substitute and are unregulated. Beware that these diet pills are not Federal authorities tested and may cause serious side effects up to and including death.

Aside from a dietician/nutritionist, local pharmacists can also help in determining the pills that are safe and not for each person's case. Just be extra careful about the so-called "natural" or "organic" ingredients. Not everything that comes from a natural source is safe. One example is Ma Huang, which is a botanical source of ephedrine known as a stimulant and being studied for potential side effects.

Those who have or have a family history of prostate problems, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, mental illness, and heart problems should avoid taking diet supplements. The same applies to those who have had seizures or strokes. If someone is taking cold medicines, especially those with decongestants, diet pills should not be taken. Whether it be a prescription or an over-the-counter diet pill, the dangers are unvarying with other similar drugs which control the brain to reduce appetite and includes chest pains, depression, hair fall, fever, and even impotence.

And as a general rule, don't ever try to take diet drugs if pregnancy is suspected. Persons that are allergic to sulfites and tartrazine should also avoid taking diet pills. And those who are under 18 years or over 60 years of age should consult their doctor first prior to taking any dietary drugs, especially if they rely on over-the-counter stimulants used as a replacement for increase exercise.

(Note: This article is the opinion of the author and may or may not be substantiated by scientific fact.)

Recent studies have shown that more people are getting overweight every year. This happens not only to adults but even to kids who have just started in school.A lot of factors cause this to happen such as genetics, overeating, the type of food taken into the body and as people age, the metabolism slows down making it harder than before to burn the food that was just consumed.

There are a lot of ways to solve this problem. Some have decided to undergo surgery, while others have decided to change the dietary intake and exercise.

Since this takes time and most people can't wait to get rid of the extra weight, these people have decided to take the fastest way out which is through the use of weight loss drugs.In the 1950's until the late 90's, doctors prescribed drugs for weight loss. The drug works by increasing the serotonin levels in the brain that makes the brain believe that the stomach is already full and thus, increases the person's metabolic rate.

It was only after scientists discovered that these drugs had side effects and were related to cause heart valve disease that these were taken off the shelves.

Later on, new drugs were developed and prescribed by doctors and many of which are still waiting for FDA approval.

Most people have known friends or family members who have tried using diet pills and have seen tremendous improvement. The idea that a simple drug can change everything without the need to change the diet or sacrificing anything is very tempting.

This has made consumers spend millions of dollars every year and has given drug companies a lot of money making and selling the drug.

Diet pills can be purchased either over-the-counter or prescribed by a doctor. Even with the advances in medical technology, these drugs can also cause a lot of health related problems which can be unpleasant such as diarrhea and vomiting, harmful such as tightness in the chest and urinary tract problems and fatal such as a heart attack or a stroke.

The side effects vary depending on the lifestyle and health of the person and can be minimized as long as one consults the doctor first before buying it.

Should one decide to stop using the drugs, studies have shown that there are also side effects. These include noticeable mood swings, hyper-activity, and pain in the stomach, insomnia and nightmares, depression, severe irritability, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and trembling.A lot of clinical tests will show that the drugs taken to lose weight really work. But this can only work if it is done with a low calorie diet and an exercise plan.

A good diet should have food from all the food groups. This should have vitamins, minerals and fiber. A lot can come from oats, rice, potatoes and cereals. The best still come from vegetables and fruits since these have phytochemicals, enzymes and micronutrients that are essential for a healthy diet.

A person can jog every morning or sign up and workout in a gym. Just like taking any medicine, one should first consult the doctor before undergoing any form of exercise.

The best exercise plan should have cardiovascular and weight training exercises. This helps burn calories and increase the muscle to fat ratio that will increase ones metabolism and lose weight.

(Note: This article is the opinion of the author and may or may not be substantiated by scientific fact.)

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Back pain usually starts with signals or indicators. For instance, if your back hurt at one time and stopped, and later it started it again, you received your indicator at the start. In short, the first time your back started hurting is the sign. You want to pinpoint when the first pain started. Once you pinpoint the starting date, you will need to consider what inspired your back pain. For instance, did you fall? Were you in a motorized accident?

Once you find the trigger of your back pain, you want to consider the symptoms. Did you feel pain? Did you feel weak? Was your back stiff or numb?

Now you can use the indicators to discover where the pain started. Did the pain start at the lower back? Was the pain at the top area? Did the pain cause additional pain, such as around the neck? Was the pain intermittent? Did the pain shoot to other areas of the body? Did the pain consistently cause stress?

Did the pain get worse, when you walked, sit, stood, or lie down? Did the pain decrease, or did it increase?

When you first hurt your back did the pain stop, or did it frequently hurt? Did the pain cause long-term problems? Did the pain leave right away?

When you first injured your back, did the symptoms change gradually? How did the symptoms change? Did the symptoms interrupt your daily duties? How did the symptoms interrupt your daily duties?

Answering the questions can help you inform your doctor, as well as understand the cause of your condition. If you were in an accident and sought medical support when you first damaged your spine, you may want to consider what tests were used to spot your condition. What did you doctor find?

If you sought medical support and your doctor recommended treatment, what was that treatment? How did the treatment help your back condition? If the treatment helped your condition, can you try the remedies now?

Is your back pain caused from surgery, musculoskeletal disorders, joint conditions, or disease?

Does your job require mandatory lifting of heavy objects? Do you sit long hours? Do you stand long hours? Is your job emotional stressful?

How are your exercise habits? Do you workout often. Do you engage in stretch exercises? What is your stress level? Do you do something active to relieve stress?

Is there a hereditary back problem in your history?

Once you ask questions related to your back condition you might want to mark points that you can mention later to your doctor. Noting the problems can help you and your doctor find the cause. Often patients fail to do this, which is why many back pain problems go unnoticed.

If your back pain has recently started again after the initial indicator, you may use treatments at home to relieve the pain, unless it is demanding. Rest is a common treatment doctor prescribes to reduce back pain. I'm a fan to chiropractor support, yet some people have issues with this notion, therefore if you feel a chiropractor can benefit you, seek support. Massage and physical therapy is also recommended to reduce back pain. In many areas, massage therapists are available, which charge reasonable fees. Check your areas to learn more about massage therapy. Common stretch exercises can reduce back pain, which has emerged from tension. If you overworked the muscles, you may want to rest and do a few exercises later.

Whatever you do, avoid ignoring the indicators. Once pain starts in the back, note the area and discuss the problem with your doctor.

(Note: This article is the opinion of the author and may or may not be substantiated by scientific fact.)

Friday, January 23, 2009

Something you need to keep in mind and never forget is that when you exercise, you're training for life. You still may spend an hour a day in the gym, although that will still leave another 23 hours or so for your muscles to function without using any fancy equipment.

Whenever you do any type of exercise, the movement of your body during the exercise is known as the range of motion. The more difficult the range of motion is, the more effective the exercise will be, because your body has to work twice as hard to perform the movement.

Take for the instance the classic dumbbell bicep curl. If you're not familiar with the exercise, it is performed by standing up straight with your palms facing forward, and a pair of dumbbells held down by your sides. You will contract your biceps to bring the dumbbells up to your shoulder height, and then repeat the exercise as many times as you wish.

Using that same movement for exercise on a bicep curl machine, you should sit down, brace your upper arms on a pad, grasp 2 handles that are in front of you, and then perform the same movement as above to move the handles in an upward motion.

Now, looking at the muscle contractions in this exercise, you're contracting essentially your biceps if you're using the curl machine, and that is pretty much all you're doing. When you use the machine you are sitting down, which will limit just how much your shoulders give. The machine has several muscles used in this exercise limited to the biceps, as well as the muscles in your forearms and fingers.

Most of the time, when using machine weights, you'll always be limited as to what type of exercise you can perform. You must always follow a strict procedure, which is pretty much the same with free weights. Unlike free weights, machine weights offer a certain degree of resistance.

One of the best things about free weights is the fact that you move a little chuck around to select the weight you want to use. Instead of dragging it over to your exercise area, you simply select it on the machine. When you're tired during a workout, this can be a blessing.

A lot of people argue in the fact that free weights are the best for your body. While this is normally true, many people out there feel that machine weights are the best. There are pros and cons with both machines, although free weights have been around a lot longer and have been proven time after time to achieve dramatic results.

Body builders for example, have applied free weights over the years to build very impressive bodies. If you ask most of them about machine weights, they would probably laugh at you and tell you that you need to quit joking around.

In a nutshell, free weights will use more of your muscles than the machines do, which makes them more efficient overall. This does not mean that the machines are a waste of use, as they offer some great advantages. In some cases, it is best to stabilize the muscles that are being used in a movement, which is where machines are the best to use.

The decision on which to use for you should be based on what you hope to achieve with lifting weights and where you plan to use the equipment, such as home or at a gym. Both systems are great for your body, although the free weights are best to use if you want the best possible workout, and always ensure that your muscles are getting the correctly workouts they need.

(Note: This article is the opinion of the author and may or may not be substantiated by scientific fact.)

Monday, January 19, 2009

As of 2007, there is no cure for either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. This may seem like a dim outlook for many people, but the fact is that even though there is no cure, there certainly are ways to manage your diabetes.

Proper management can give you many years of healthy living.

Diabetes management starts with a visit to your doctor. First, finding out you have diabetes, what type you have then arming yourself with as much information as possible about the diabetes you are diagnosed with.

All management begins with controlling the glucose cycle.

The glucose cycle is affected by two factors, entry of glucose into the bloodstream and blood levels of insulin to control the transport out.

Your glucose levels are very sensitive to both diet and exercise, so change in either should first be discussed with your physician. Proper management of diabetes can be very intrusive to the patient.

It can change as people grow and develop and no two cases are ever really the same. Today it is easier to measure the blood sugar level.

Glucose meters are readily available and are quite easy to use with a little practice and patience. There are a variety of diabetic glucose meter possibilities for you to consider, with differences in costs, processing abilities, and size.

With a small drop of blood to the testing strip attached to the glucose meter, the user is given the number, which represents their blood sugar level. This in turn will let the user know if and when insulin is needed.

(Note: This article is the opinion of the author and may or may not be substantiated by scientific fact.)

Friday, January 16, 2009

Exercise balls are one of the most innovative ways to exercise. These little balls will catch every one's fancy due to their shape and very attractive colors. The real benefit of these balls, which were introduced by a group of Swiss medical therapists, is a substitute of support during exercise.

Working out with the exercise balls will strengthen and tone all of the major muscles of the body. The soft texture of the balls make it an ideal choice for Yoga positions, using dumbbells for muscle toning, or working on heavy duty weight training equipment.

The advantage of exercise balls is that they are durable and maintain shape well under pressure. The documentation with the balls will provide test load figures for how much weight the exercise balls will hold. The advantage here is the fact that the balls provide soft yet firm support that does not harm your body.

You can find exercise balls in several different colors and finishes. You can even get a ball that matches the texture of your room. They are simple to store and you can even roll them under your bed or a table if you prefer. When you are not using them, you can let kids play with them. These balls are very fun for kids, as they are very soft and will not cause them any harm.

Medical Equipment

Originally developed for use in medical therapy, the exercise ball is used to support the body during exercise. These balls will provide support to the body when you do a specific exercise in a specific position and still need to maintain the balance. Most exercise balls are made of burst proof latex or other material that is very safe to use.

There are many postures with yoga and muscle toning exercise that can only be done with the help of support. For these postures, exercise balls are quite useful. The exercise balls will introduce an element of stability to the exercise that you would not normally get with the floor exercise.

Your body responds automatically to the instability to keep balanced on the exercise ball. This will help in strengthening the muscles that are not actively participating in exercise.

An exercise is also very useful for physiotherapy treatment.Exercise balls will help to get rid of backache and spinal disorders. The small range of movement and adjustment of balance of the spine that is induced by exercising with the exercise ball will help reduce back pain.

The Swiss ball exercise is for people with back pain to provide them with a simple way to restore movements after an episode of back pain. It also results in improved muscle strength, greater flexibility, and a wide range of motion of the spine during treatment.

(Note: This article is the opinion of the author and may or may not be substantiated by scientific fact.)